Question NW1918 to the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

Reply:

(a)(b) Section 87A(1)(a) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004) (NEMBA), “the Minister is the issuing authority responsible for deciding an application for a permit for the carrying of a restricted activity involving specimen of a listed threatened or protected species—(i) in a national protected area; (ii) that is a marine species; or (iii) applied for by an official, on behalf of—(aa) a provincial department or provincial organ of state responsible for the conservation of biodiversity in a province; (bb) a national protected area; (cc) the South African National Biodiversity Institute; or (dd) an organ of state in the national sphere of government".

In terms of section 87A(2) of NEMBA, the relevant MEC is the issuing authority responsible for deciding an application for any permit not listed in section 87A(1)(a) and for species not listed in terms of section 56 of NEMBA. This means that all applications from private individuals are lodged with the provincial conservation authorities, except as indicated in section 87A(1).

In accordance with the above provisions and application of the above legislation, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has neither issued any permits, nor has the DFFE received any permit applications in terms of section 87A(1) of NEMBA relating to the euthanasia of species listed in terms of secfio0 56 of NEMBA in the 2020/202a financial year. This function falls within the purview of the provincial issuing authorities.

Regards

MS B D CREECY, MP

MINISTER OF FORESTRY, FISHERIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT
DATE: